Thomson Launches New Service For Gay Travelers

Apparently Thomson has just recently launched a new service that is designed for gay travelers. Thus, the company is thereby staking a claim to be the first mainstream UK tour operator to offer same sex package holidays. The Freedom Collection features hotels in seven “pink” destinations, including some gay only properties.

The Freedom Collection holidays are ATOL protected, and come with a full overseas service. This includes a holiday advisor who will offer inside information on the local area. The hotels, which will include some Gay Exclusive properties, are spread across seven pink destinations, which will all either be well established or blossoming gay scenes.

The accommodations range from budget hotels to boutique getaways. All of the hotels will have the GayComfort seal of approval before the customers arrive. For travelers that do not know, GayComfort is an online accreditation program. This means that the hotel staff has had special training to help strip out the difficulties that are often associated with same sex holidays, such as a same sex couple checking in and staff assuming that they would want twin beds instead of a double.

Philippa Morgan, the Thomson Innovation manager, said that this is a hugely exciting launch for Thomson. There is definitely an appetite in the market for gay friendly holidays that come with the security and peace of mind that only a big tour operator can offer them. He continued that the reason why they have taken this approach is because research has shown that three out of four gay or lesbian holidaymakers actively search out hotels they believe are genuinely welcoming. Now Thomson can help them do just that.